Birdsong, optimistic and full of delight played across the morning air as Julia meandered down to the beach. Occasionally she had to jump over the fallen trunk of palms and trees which had suffered at the hands of nature’s executioner, the wind. She had to clear her head, begin to think differently and approach the situation they were all in with a fresh mind. She had to figure out how she would deal with Tom’s probing questions as well. An offshore breeze tugged at the sleeves of her tattered shirt, lifting her spirits.
She began to run towards the water, revelling in the freedom of the wind and air. Splashing like a little child into the shallows, she collapsed in a breathless heap as small waves washed over her. Something knocked her arm. It felt like a hand. Martin or Tom would’ve followed and were trying to scare her. Idiots. She opened her eyes turned her head to the right and looked straight into the lifeless gaze of a man. Her scream reflected the pure terror she felt, and her hysterics began to escalate into an uncontrollable mass of screaming and sobs. It got worse as the body was turned over in the wave’s assiduous movements. Especially when she caught a glimpse of the face. Total horror flooded her. She realised she knew the face. Knew the person. Knew them very well.